Moon Area school directors approved a $56.6 million budget Monday that will raise real estate taxes by 0.86 mills for property owners in Crescent and Moon.

Most homeowners, however, will see their property tax bills drop because of the new homestead exemption paid for with gambling revenues. Residents will get a tax break worth about $144, said Alan Bennett, Moon Area's director of fiscal and school services.

To qualify for the benefit, homeowners had to have applied for the exemption with Allegheny County by March 1. Information on the program is available on the county's Web site, www.county.allegheny.pa.us/opa/.

The new tax rate is 20.47 mills, which Mr. Bennett said ranks as the 30th lowest of 42 districts in Allegheny County. The tax increase is the maximum allowed by the Act 1 index limitation.

Mr. Bennett said the budget represents a 3.9 percent increase in expenditures.

Directors voted 6-2 with Ben Bonham and Mark Limbruner dissenting. Carol Cellini was absent.

After Monday's meeting, Mr. Bonham said, "We don't do anything different other than spend more money. There is no comprehensive plan to reduce costs like every other household in the community."

Mr. Bennett said the budget provides for new curriculum adoption, technology replacement and funds for the position of director of operations along with fuel and utility costs.

It also includes the replacement of the kindergarten through grade 12 social studies curriculum materials and textbooks, the replacement and upgrade of computers, and other technology-related items.

The social studies curriculum and technology purchases are to be funded via a five-year lease/purchase agreement totaling $1,070,500. The technology updates include improvements of the local area network to support and upgrade high-speed communication capabilities for video conferencing and distance learning and to improve the speed and utility of the network.

It also will enable the use of Smart Boards, Promethean Boards and other peripherals and allow the replacement of about 200 desktop and laptop computers used by students and staff.

The director of operations position will coordinate custodial, maintenance and facilities operations.

The budget includes $325,000 for vehicle fuel, natural gas and electricity. Mr. Bennett said this represents an increase of 25 percent. Employee salary and benefit increases account for an increase of $1.1 million, primarily the result of health insurance cost increases for all staff and negotiated wage increases.